Is the 2025 Mazda MX-5 Miata a good car?

The 7.5/10 expert rating points to a car that is very strong where it matters most for you: driving enjoyment. The standout strength is Performance at 10/10. In the overview and test-drive notes, the MX-5 Miata is framed as a rear-wheel-drive, two-seat convertible that prioritizes precise handling, cornering fun, and a driver-focused feel over everyday utility.

The main trade-offs are clear: the interior is cramped, cargo space is limited, and the technology can be hard to use. Those compromises are part of the Miata’s no-frills character, so the car makes the most sense if you want a lightweight roadster rather than a practical daily driver.

Good and great deals account for 31.8% of listings, so there is still some room to shop selectively.

Is the 2025 Mazda MX-5 Miata reliable?

The overview and expert notes present the MX-5 Miata as a simple, back-to-basics sports car, and that simplicity generally works in your favor when you’re thinking about long-term ownership. The powertrain is straightforward, the car is built around a manual transmission by default, and the expert notes emphasize a focused mechanical setup rather than a complicated one.

The performance write-up also suggests a durable, confidence-building character: the steering is precise, the suspension is well sorted, and the car is engineered to be easy to place on the road. On the cost side, Mazda includes a five-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty and a three-year/36,000-mile limited warranty, which helps soften early ownership risk.

If you buy used, your biggest long-term risk is less about complexity and more about how hard the car was driven and how well it was maintained.

What should I look for when buying a used 2025 Mazda MX-5 Miata?

Accident-free inventory is excellent at 94.6% — clean inventory, standard diligence applies. You should still run a history report, prioritize a pre-purchase inspection, and focus on wear items that matter most in a small sports car: tires, brakes, suspension condition, and signs of hard use. Because the cabin is tight and the car is meant to be driven enthusiastically, condition can vary a lot from one example to the next.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The Sport, Club, and Grand Touring soft-top trims are joined by RF versions of the Club and Grand Touring, plus a low-production 35th Anniversary Edition. The base trim keeps the car simple, while the Grand Touring adds leather seating and more comfort-oriented equipment.
• Powertrain: Every MX-5 Miata uses a 2.0-liter naturally aspirated four-cylinder with 181 horsepower and 151 lb-ft of torque, and rear-wheel drive is standard. A six-speed manual comes standard, while a six-speed automatic is limited to the Grand Touring trim.
• Safety package: Every trim gets lane-departure warning, rear cross traffic alert, blind spot monitoring, and cruise control. The Grand Touring adds automatic high beams and traffic sign recognition, while automatic-transmission top trims also get adaptive cruise control and a distance and speed alert.
• Infotainment: The cabin uses an 8.8-inch screen with rotary-dial control. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard, and they are wireless on the Club and Grand Touring trims.
• Fuel efficiency: The Miata is rated at 26 mpg city, 34 mpg highway, and 29 mpg combined, and the expert notes mention 28 mpg during spirited driving.

Which 2025 Mazda MX-5 Miata trim should I buy?

The 2025 Mazda MX-5 Miata is offered in 5 trim levels: Sport, Club, Grand Touring, RF Club, RF Grand Touring.

Here's the short version:

• Sport: This is the simplest way into the Miata formula, and it suits you if you want the lightest, most straightforward roadster experience without paying for extras you may not need.
• Club: This is the best-value trim for most shoppers because it adds the more enthusiast-focused character the car is known for, and it is the trim most clearly tied to the sporty hardware in the expert notes.
• Grand Touring: Choose this if you want the most comfort and convenience features, including leather seating and the automatic transmission option.
• RF Club: Pick this if you want the retractable hardtop body style and still want the more driver-focused Club setup.
• RF Grand Touring: This is the most upscale choice if you want the hardtop body style plus the Grand Touring’s comfort and convenience equipment.

The Grand Touring trim adds the extra safety features noted above, and automatic-transmission top trims get additional driver-assistance features.

Is now a good time to buy a used 2025 Mazda MX-5 Miata?

This looks like a moderate, selective buyer’s market, so you can shop patiently but still move quickly on the right car.

• Deal availability: 31.8% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 390 listings available.
• Clean inventory: 94.6% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $32,682.10, that's toward the low end of the year-round range and worth acting on quickly.

Is the 2025 Mazda MX-5 Miata safe?

The MX-5 Miata has not been rated by either NHTSA or IIHS for this generation, so there is no crash-test lead to cite here.

It earns a 5/10 safety score from our experts. Every trim gets lane-departure warning, rear cross traffic alert, blind spot monitoring, and cruise control. The Grand Touring trim adds automatic high beams and traffic sign recognition, and automatic-transmission top trims also get adaptive cruise control and a distance and speed alert.

The safety story is straightforward: you get a useful set of standard driver aids for a small sports car, but you should not expect the latest full-suite advanced safety tech across the lineup.

Should I buy a 2025 Mazda MX-5 Miata or consider a different year?

If you're weighing the 2025 against nearby model years, here's how to think about it:

Choose the 2025 if:

• 31.8% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is excellent at 94.6% — clean inventory, standard diligence applies.
• The 2025 MX-5 Miata remains a pure, driver-focused roadster with precise handling and a standard six-speed manual.

Consider the 2024 if:

• It adds new steering, a revised limited-slip differential, and updated infotainment.

The bottom line: If you want the Miata’s classic formula with strong market availability, the 2025 is the cleaner target. If you’re price-sensitive and want the prior year’s updates, the 2024 is worth a look, especially if you find a well-kept example at a better price.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from August 28, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.